16.333 Lecture 4
Aircraft Dynamics
Aircraft nonlinear EOM ?
? Linearization – dynamics
Linearization – forces & moments ?
? Stability derivatives and coe?cients
Fall 2004 16.333 4–1
Aircraft Dynamics
? Note can develop good approximation of key aircraft motion (Phugoid)
using simple balance between kinetic and potential energies.
? Consider an aircraft in steady, level ?ight with speed U
0
and height
h
0
. The motion is perturbed slightly so that
U
0
U = U
0
+ u (1)→
h
0
h = h
0
+ Δh (2)→
? Assume that E =
1
mU
2
+ mgh is constant before and after the
2
perturbation. It then follows that u ≈?
gΔh
U
0
? From Newton’s laws we know that, in the vertical direction
¨
mh = L ?W
1
where weight W = mg and lift L =
2
ρSC
L
U
2
(S is the wing area).
We can then derive the equations of motion of the aircraft:
¨
1
mh = L ?W = ρSC
L
(U
2
?U
0
2
) (3)
2
1
= ρSC
L
((U
0
+ u)
2
?U
0
2
) ≈
1
ρSC
L
(2uU
0
)(4)
22
? ?
gΔh
U
0
= ?(ρSC
L
g)Δh (5)≈ ?ρSC
L
U
0
¨ ¨
Since h = Δh and for the original equilibrium ?ight condition L =
1
W =
2
(ρSC
L
)U
2
= mg, we get that
0
? ?
2
ρSC
L
g g
= 2
m U
0
Combine these result to obtain:
¨
Δh + Ω
2
Δh = 0 , Ω ≈
g
√
2
U
0
? These equations describe an oscillation (called the phugoid oscilla-
tion) of the altitude of the aircraft about it nominal value.
– Only approximate natural frequency (Lanchester), but value close.
?
k)
?
?
?
Fall 2004 16.333 4–2
? The basic dynamics are:
?
˙
I
?
˙
I
F = mv
c
and T
?
= H
1
?
˙
B
ω × ?v
c
Transport Thm. F = v
c
+
BI
??
m
?
˙
B
BI
?
? T
?
= H + ω ×
?
H
? Basic assumptions are:
1. Earth is an inertial reference frame
2. A/C is a rigid body
3. Body frame B ?xed to the aircraft (
?
i,
?
j,
BI
?? Instantaneous mapping of ?v
c
and ω into the body frame:
BI
?ω = P
?
i + Q
?
j + R
?
k ?v
c
= U
?
i + V
?
j + W
?
k
? ? ? ?
P U
?
?
BI
ω
B
=
?
Q
?
? (v
c
)
B
=
?
V
R W
? By symmetry, we can show that I
xy
= I
yz
= 0, but value of I
xz
depends on speci?c frame selected. Instantaneous mapping of the
angular momentum
H = H
x
?
i + H
y
?
j + H
z
?
k
into the Body Frame given by
? ? ? ?? ?
H
x
I
xx
0 I
xz
P
H
B
=
?
H
y
?
=
?
0 I
yy
0
??
Q
?
H
z
I
xz
0 I
zz
R
?
1
Fall 2004 16.333 4–3
? The overall equations of motion are then:
1
?
˙
B
F = v
c
+
BI
?ω × ?v
c
m
? ? ? ? ? ?? ?
X U
˙
0 ?R Q U
?
m
?
Y
?
=
?
V
˙ ?
+
?
0 ?P
??
V
?
R
˙
Z W ?Q P 0 W
? ?
U
˙
+QW ? RV
˙ ?
=
?
V +RU ? P W
˙
W +P V ? QU
?
˙
B
BI
?T
?
= H + ω ×
?
H
? ? ? ? ? ?? ?? ?
˙
L I
xx
P
˙
+I
xz
R 0 ?R Q I
xx
0 I
xz
P
?
?
M
?
=
?
˙
I
yy
Q
˙ ?
+
?
0 ?P
??
0 I
yy
0
??
Q
?
R
P 0 I
xz
0 I
zz
RN I
zz
R +I
xz
P
˙
?Q
? ?
˙
I
xx
P
˙
+I
xz
R +QR(I
zz
? I
yy
) +P QI
xz
?
=
?
I
yy
Q
˙
+P R(I
xx
? I
zz
) + (R
2
? P
2
)I
xz
˙
I
zz
R +I
xz
P
˙
+P Q(I
yy
? I
xx
)? QRI
xz
? Clearly these equations are very nonlinear and complicated, and we
have not even said where
?
F and T
?
come from. = Need to linearize!! ?
– Assume that the aircraft is ?ying in an equilibrium condition and
we will linearize the equations about this nominal ?ight condition.
Fall 2004 16.333 4–4
Axes
? But ?rst we need to be a little more speci?c about which Body Frame
we are going use. Several standards:
1. Body Axes - X aligned with fuselage nose. Z perpendicular to
X in plane of symmetry (down). Y perpendicular to XZ plane, to
the right.
2. Wind Axes - X aligned with ?v
c
. Z perpendicular to X (pointed
down). Y perpendicular to XZ plane, o? to the right.
3. Stability Axes - X aligned with projection of ?v
c
into the fuselage
plane of symmetry. Z perpendicular to X (pointed down). Y same.
R
E
L
A
T
I
V
E
W
I
N
D
( )
( )
( )
?
?
B ODY
Z-AXIS
B ODY
Y -AXIS
X-AXIS
WIND
X-AXIS
S T AB ILIT Y
X-AXIS
B ODY
? Advantages to each, but typically use the stability axes.
– In di?erent ?ight equilibrium conditions, the axes will be oriented
di?erently with respect to the A/C principal axes ? need to trans-
form (rotate) the principal inertia components between the frames.
– When vehicle undergoes motion with respect to the equilibrium,
Stability Axes remain ?xed to airplane as if painted on.
Fall 2004 16.333 4–5
? Can linearize about various steady state conditions of ?ight.
– For steady state ?ight conditions must have
F F
aero
+
?
F
thrust
= 0 and T
?
= 0
?
=
?
F
gravity
+
?
3 So for equilibrium condition, forces balance on the aircraft
L = W and T = D
˙ ˙ ˙ ˙ ˙
– Also assume that P
˙
= Q = R = U = V = W = 0
– Impose additional constraints that depend on ?ight condition:
3 Steady wings-level ?ight → Φ =
˙
Θ =
˙
Φ =
˙
Ψ = 0
? Key Point: While nominal forces and moments balance to zero,
motion about the equilibrium condition results in perturbations to
the forces/moments.
– Recall from basic ?ight dynamics that lift L
f
= C
L
α
α
0
where:
0
3 C
L
α
= lift curve slope – function of the equilibrium condition
3 α
0
= nominal angle of attack (angle that wing meets air ?ow)
– But, as the vehicle moves about the equilibrium condition, would
expect that the angle of attack will change
α = α
0
+ Δα
– Thus the lift forces will also be perturbed
L
f
= C
L
α
(α
0
+ Δα) = L
f
+ ΔL
f
0
? Can extend this idea to all dynamic variables and how they in?uence
all aerodynamic forces and moments
Fall 2004 16.333 4–6
Gravity Forces
? Gravity acts through the CoM in vertical direction (inertial frame +Z)
– Assume that we have a non-zero pitch angle Θ
0
– Need to map this force into the body frame
– Use the Euler angle transformation (2–15)
? ? ? ?
0 ? sin Θ
F
g
= T
1
(Φ)T
2
(Θ)T
3
(Ψ)
?
0
?
= mg
?
sin Φ cos Θ
?
B
mg cos Φ cos Θ
? For symmetric steady state ?ight equilibrium, we will typically assume
that Θ ≡ Θ
0
, Φ ≡ Φ
0
= 0, so
? ?
? sin Θ
0
F
g
= mg
?
0
?
B
cos Θ
0
? Use Euler angles to specify vehicle rotations with respect to the Earth
frame
Θ
˙
= Q cos Φ ? R sin Φ
Φ
˙
= P + Q sin Φ tan Θ + R cos Φ tan Θ
Ψ
˙
= (Q sin Φ + R cos Φ) sec Θ
– Note that if Φ ≈ 0, then Θ
˙
≈ Q
? Recall: Φ ≈ Roll, Θ ≈ Pitch, and Ψ ≈ Heading.
Fall 2004 16.333 4–7
Linearization
? De?ne the trim angular rates and velocities
? ? ? ?
P U
o
BI
ω
o
=
?
Q
?
(v
c
)
o
=
?
0
?
B B
R 0
which are associated with the ?ight condition. In fact, these de?ne
the type of equilibrium motion that we linearize about. Note:
– W
0
= 0 since we are using the stability axes, and
– V
0
= 0 because we are assuming symmetric ?ight
? Proceed with linearization of the dynamics for various ?ight conditions
Nominal Perturbed Perturbed ?
Velocity Velocity Acceleration?
Velocities U
0
, U = U
0
+u U
˙
= u˙?
˙
W
0
= 0, W = w W = w˙
V
0
= 0, V = v
?
V
˙
= v˙?
Angular P
0
= 0,
Rates Q
0
= 0,
R
0
= 0,
P = p P
˙
= ˙p
Q = q
?
Q
˙
= ˙q
R = r
?
R
˙
= r˙?
˙
Angles Θ
0
, Θ = Θ
0
+θ Θ = θ
˙
?
˙
Φ
0
= 0, Φ = φ Φ = φ
˙
?
˙
Ψ
0
= 0, Ψ = ψ Ψ = ψ
˙
?
?
Fall 2004 16.333 4–8
W
C.G.
0
V
T
V
T
0
= U
0
X
E
X
0
X
q
?
Z
Z
0
Z
E
?
Θ
?
or
?
0
?
0
?
0
Horizontal
U = U + u
Down
Figure 1: Perturbed Axes. The equilibrium condition was that the aircraft was angled up by Θ
0
with
velocity V
T 0
= U
0
. The vehicle’s motion has been perturbed (X
0
→ X) so that now Θ = Θ
0
+θ and
the velocity is V
T
= V
T 0
. Note that V
T
is no longer aligned with the X-axis, resulting in a non-zero
u and w. The angle γ is called the ?ight path angle, and it provides a measure of the angle of the
velocity vector to the inertial horizontal axis.
Fall 2004 16.333 4–9
? Linearization for symmetric ?ight
U = U
0
+u, V
0
= W
0
= 0, P
0
= Q
0
= R
0
= 0.
Note that the forces and moments are also perturbed.
1
[X
0
+ ΔX] = U
˙
+QW ? RV u˙ +qw ? rv ≈ u˙
m
≈
1
[Y
0
+ ΔY ] = V
˙
+RU ? P W
m
v˙ +r(U
0
+u)? pw v˙ +rU
0
≈ ≈
1
˙
[Z
0
+ ΔZ] = W +P V ? QU w˙ +pv ? q(U
0
+u)
m
≈
w˙ ? qU
0
≈
? ? ? ?
ΔX u˙ 1
1
?
ΔY
?
=
?
v˙ +rU
0
?
2?
m
ΔZ w˙ ? qU
0
3
Attitude motion: ?
? ? ? ?
˙
L I
xx
P
˙
+I
xz
R +QR(I
zz
? I
yy
) +P QI
xz
??
M
?
=
?
I
yy
Q
˙
+P R(I
xx
? I
zz
) + (R
2
? P
2
)I
xz
˙
N I
zz
R +I
xz
P
˙
+P Q(I
yy
? I
xx
)? QRI
xz
? ? ? ?
ΔL I
xx
p˙ +I
xz
r˙ 4
?
ΔM
?
=
?
I
yy
q˙
?
5
?
ΔN I
zz
r˙ +I
xz
p˙ 6
Fall 2004 16.333 4–10
? Key aerodynamic parameters are also perturbed:
Total Velocity
2 2
)
1/2
≈ U
0
+ uV
T
= ((U
0
+ u)
2
+ v + w
Perturbed Sideslip angle
β = sin
?1
(v/V
T
) ≈ v/U
0
Perturbed Angle of Attack
α
x
= tan
?1
(w/U) ≈ w/U
0
? To understand these equations in detail, and the resulting impact on
the vehicle dynamics, we must investigate the terms ΔX . . . ΔN.
– We must also address the left-hand side (
?
F, T
?
)
– Net forces and moments must be zero in equilibrium condition.
– Aerodynamic and Gravity forces are a function of equilibrium con-
dition AND the perturbations about this equilibrium.
? Predict the changes to the aerodynamic forces and moments using a
?rst order expansion in the key ?ight parameters
?X ?X ?X ?X ?X
g
ΔX = ΔU + ΔW + Δ
˙
W + ΔΘ + . . . + ΔΘ + ΔX
c
?U ?W
?
˙
W
?Θ ?Θ
?X ?X ?X ?X ?X
g
˙= u + w + w + θ + . . . + θ + ΔX
c
?U ?W
?
˙
W
?Θ ?Θ
?
?X
called stability derivative – evaluated at eq. condition.
?U
? Gives dimensional form; non-dimensional form available in tables.
? Clearly approximation since ignores lags in the aerodynamics forces
(assumes that forces only function of instantaneous values)
Fall 2004 16.333 4–11
Stability Derivatives
? First proposed by Bryan (1911) – has proven to be a very e?ec-
tive way to analyze the aircraft ?ight mechanics – well supported by
numerous ?ight test comparisons.
? The forces and torques acting on the aircraft are very complex nonlin-
ear functions of the ?ight equilibrium condition and the perturbations
from equilibrium.
– Linearized expansion can involve many terms u, ˙ u, . . . , w, ˙ w, . . . u, ¨ w, ¨
– Typically only retain a few terms to capture the dominant e?ects.
? Dominant behavior most easily discussed in terms of the:
– Symmetric variables: U, W, Q & forces/torques: X, Z, and M
– Asymmetric variables: V , P, R & forces/torques: Y , L, and N
? Observation – for truly symmetric ?ight Y , L, and N will be exactly
zero for any value of U, W , Q
? Derivatives of asymmetric forces/torques with respect to the sym-
metric motion variables are zero.
? Further (convenient) assumptions:
1. Derivatives of symmetric forces/torques with respect to the asym-
metric motion variables are small and can be neglected.
2. We can neglect derivatives with respect to the derivatives of the
motion variables, but keep ?Z/?w˙ and M
w˙
≡ ?M/?w˙ (aero-
dynamic lag involved in forming new pressure distribution on the
wing in response to the perturbed angle of attack)
3. ?X/?q is negligibly small.
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
? ? ? ?
Fall 2004 16.333 4–12
?()/?() X Y Z L M N
u
v
w
p
q
r
?
0
?
0
≈ 0
0
0
?
0
?
0
?
?
0
?
0
?
0
0
?
0
?
0
?
?
0
?
0
?
0
0
?
0
?
0
?
? Note that we must also ?nd the perturbation gravity and thrust forces
and moments
?X
g
?Θ
?Z
g
= ?mg cos Θ
0
0
?Θ
= ?mg sin Θ
0
0
? Aerodynamic summary:
1A ΔX =
?X
?U 0
u +
?X
?W 0
w ? ΔX ~ u, α
x
≈ w/U
0
2A ΔY ~ β ≈ v/U
0
, p, r
3A ΔZ ~ u, α
x
≈ w/U
0
, ˙α
x
≈ ˙w/U
0
, q
4A ΔL ~ β ≈ v/U
0
, p, r
5A ΔM ~ u, α
x
≈ w/U
0
, ˙α
x
≈ ˙w/U
0
, q
6A ΔN ~ β ≈ v/U
0
, p, r
? ? ? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ? ? ?
? ? ? ? ? ?
? ? ? ? ? ?
Fall 2004 16.333 4–13
? Result is that, with these force, torque approximations,
equations 1, 3, 5 decouple from 2, 4, 6
– 1, 3, 5 are the longitudinal dynamics in u, w, and q
????
ΔX mu˙
ΔZ
?
=
?
m( ˙w ? qU
0
)
?
ΔM I
yy
q˙
??
?X
g
?X ?X
θ + ΔX
c
u + w +
?U ?W ?Θ0 0 0
?
?
?
?
?
?
?Z
g
?Z ?Z ?Z ?Z
w + θ + ΔZ
c
˙u + w + q +
≈
?
˙
W
?U ?W ?Q ?Θ0 0 0
0
0
?M ?M ?M
w˙ +
?M
q + ΔM
c
u + w +
?U 0 ?W 0
?
˙
W
0
?Q
0
– 2, 4, 6 are the lateral dynamics in v, p, and r
????
ΔY m(˙v +rU
0
)
?
ΔL
?
=
?
I
xx
p˙ +I
xz
r˙
?
ΔN I
zz
r˙ +I
xz
p˙
??
≈
?
?
?
?
?
?Y ?Y ?Y
v +
0
p + r + +ΔY
c
?V 0 ?P ?R 0
?L
v +
?L
0
p +
?L
r + ΔL
c
?V 0 ?P ?R 0
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?N ?N ?N
v +
0
p + r + ΔN
c
?V 0 ?P ?R 0
? ?
? ? ? ?
? ? ? ?
? ?
Fall 2004 16.333 4–14
Basic Stability Derivative Derivation
? Consider changes in the drag force with forward speed U
D = 1/2ρV
T
2
SC
D
2 2
V
2
= (u
0
+u)
2
+v +w
T
?V
T
2
?V
T
2
= 2(u
0
+u) ? = 2u
0
?u ?u
0
?V
T
2
?V
T
2
Note: = 0 and = 0
?v
0
?w
0
At reference condition:
? ? ? ? ??
?D ? ρV
T
2
SC
D
= ? D
u
≡
?u
0
?u 2
?
0
? ? ? ??
ρS
2
?C
D
?V
T
2
= u
0
+C
D
0
2 ?u
0
?u
0
ρS
2
?C
D
= + 2u
0
C
D
0
u
0
2 ?u
0
– Note
?D
is the stability derivative, which is dimensional.
?u
? De?ne nondimensional stability coe?cient C
D
u
as derivative of
C
D
with respect to a nondimensional velocity u/u
0
D ?C
D
and C
D
0
≡ (C
D
)
0
C
D
=
1
ρV
T
2
S
? C
D
u
≡
?u/u
0
2
0
– So (
0
corresponds to the variable at its equilibrium condition. ?)
?? ? ?
Fall 2004 16.333 4–15
Nondimensionalize: ?
? ? ? ? ? ?
?D ρSu
0
?C
D
= u
0
+ 2C
D
0
?u
0
2 ?u
0
QS ?C
D
= + 2C
D
0
u
0
?u/u
0
0
? ? ? ?
u
0
?D
= (C
D
u
+ 2C
D
0
)
QS ?u
0
So given stability coe?cient, can compute the drag force increment.
? Note that Mach number has a signi?cant e?ect on the drag:
? ?
? ?
C
D
u
=
?C
D
?u/u
0
0
=
u
0
a
?C
D
?
?
u
a
?
0
= M
?C
D
?M
where
?C
D
?M
can be estimated from empirical results/tables.
Aerodynamic Principles
? = Constant
C
D
0
M
cr
0 1 2
= 0.1
C
D
M
Mach number, M
? Thrust forces
? ? ? ?
C
T
u
=
?C
T
?u/u
0
0
?
?T
?u
0
= C
T
u
1
u
0
QS
– For a glider, C
T
u
= 0
– For a jet, C
T
u
≈ 0
– For a prop plane, C
T
u
= ?C
D
0
?? ?
Fall 2004 16.333 4–16
? Lift forces similar to drag
L = 1/2ρV
T
2
SC
L
? ? ? ? ? ?
?L ρSu
0
?C
L
= + 2C
L
0
?
?u
0
2
u
0
?u
0
?
QS ?C
L
= + 2C
L
0
u
0
?u/u
0
0
? ? ? ?
u
0
?L
= (C
L
u
+ 2C
L
0
)
QS ?u
0
where C
L
0
is the lift coe?cient for the eq. condition and C
L
u
=
M
?C
L
?M
as before. From aerodynamic theory, we have that
?C
L
MC
L
|
M=0
C
L
= = C
L
√
1? M
2
?
?M 1? M
2
M
2
? C
L
u
=
1? M
2
C
L
0
? α Derivatives: Now consider what happens with changes in the angle
of attack. Take derivatives and evaluate at the reference condition:
– Lift: ? C
L
α
C
2
L
2C
L
0
– Drag: C
D
= C
D
min
+
πeAR
? C
D
α
=
πeAR
C
L
α
? ?
? ?
Fall 2004 16.333 4–17
? Combine into X, Z Forces
– At equilibrium, forces balance.
– Use stability axes, so α
0
= 0
– Include the e?ect in the force balance of a change in α on the
force rotations so that we can see the perturbations.
– Assume perturbation α is small, so rotations are by cos α ≈ 1,
sin α ≈ α
X = T ? D + Lα
Z = ?(L + Dα)
C
L
C
x
C
z
z
x
V
Note: ? = ?
T
at t = 0
C
D
??(t)
(i.e., Static Trim)
? So, now consider the α derivatives of these forces:
?X ?T ?D ?L
= + L + α
?α ?α
?
?α ?α
?T
– Thrust variation with α very small
?α
0
≈ 0
– Apply at the reference condition (α = 0), i.e. C
X
α
? Nondimensionalize and apply reference condition:
C
X
α
= ?C
D
α
+ C
L
0
2C
L
0
= C
L
0
? C
L
α
πeAR
?C
X
=
?α
0
Fall 2004 16.333 4–18
And for the Z direction ?
?Z ?D ?L
= D ?α
?α
?
?α
?
?α
Giving
C
Z
α
= C
D
0
?C
L
α
?
? Recall that C
M
α
was already found during the static analysis
? Can repeat this process for the other derivatives with respect to the
forward speed.
? Forward speed:
?X ?T ?D ?L
= +α
?u ?u
?
?u ?u
So that
? ?? ? ? ?? ? ? ?? ?
u
0
?X u
0
?T u
0
?D
=
QS ?u
0
QS ?u
0
?
QS ?u
0
?C
X
u
≡ C
T
u
?(C
D
u
+ 2C
D
0
)
? Similarly for the Z direction:
?Z ?L ?D
= α
?u
?
?u
?
?u
So that
? ?? ? ? ?? ?
u
0
?Z u
0
?L
=
QS ?u
0
?
QS ?u
0
(C
L
u
+ 2C
L
0
)C
Z
u
≡ ?
M
2
= ?
1?M
2
C
L
0
?2C
L
0
? Many more derivatives to consider !
Fall 2004 16.333 4–19
Summary
? Picked a speci?c Body Frame (stability axes) from the list of alter-
natives
? Choice simpli?es some of the linearization, but the inertias now
change depending on the equilibrium ?ight condition.
? Since the nonlinear behavior is too di?cult to analyze, we needed
to consider the linearized dynamic behavior around a speci?c ?ight
condition
? Enables us to linearize RHS of equations of motion.
? Forces and moments also complicated nonlinear functions, so we lin-
earized the LHS as well
? Enables us to write the perturbations of the forces and moments
in terms of the motion variables.
– Engineering insight allows us to argue that many of the stability
derivatives that couple the longitudinal (symmetric) and lateral
(asymmetric) motions are small and can be ignored.
? Approach requires that you have the stability derivatives.
– These can be measured or calculated from the aircraft plan form
and basic aerodynamic data.